His Excellency Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, will attend the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Related Meetings on 9-12 September 2020 via videoconference. Twenty-seven Foreign Ministers from ASEAN Member States and external partners, including ARF members, are expected to participate. Thailand will emphasise the importance of multilateralism and regionalism, in addressing challenges and the post COVID-19 recovery plan.

The ten ASEAN Foreign Ministers will discuss ways to promote ASEAN Community Building that is cohesive and responsive in accordance with the theme and priorities under Viet Nam’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year. In engaging with external partners, ASEAN Foreign Ministers will reiterate the importance of ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture amidst the evolving regional security dynamics and challenges.

In addition, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers will make preparations for the upcoming 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in November 2020. They will also discuss and exchange views with external partners on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and other important regional and international issues.

The 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is expected to adopt a Joint Communique, among other outcome documents, focusing on ASEAN’s unwavering commitment to promote the ASEAN Community, integrated economic cooperation and connectivity, cooperation with dialogue partners in the regional architecture with ASEAN centrality at its core, expansion of cooperation in areas of common interests to better respond to emerging challenges as well as issues relating to peace, security and stability.

Thailand will use this opportunity to highlight the post COVID-19 recovery plan, concretise the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, and emphasise the importance of multilateralism and regionalism in addressing common challenges.